Review Detail

Nova Evans usually doesn't spend more than a couple months at the same school because her mom moves them all around the country for her job. Because of this, Nova gets the opportunity to be something new at each school. She's done it so often now that she's forgotten who she actually is and what she likes. With it being her senior year, she wants to try to focus more on herself to paint a better future. But at the newest school, she comes face to face with her childhood best friend: Sam Jordan.

When they were young, Sam got taken away from his abusive father and saved by his aunt and uncle. For that reason, he feels like he owes them everything and wants to stay on the path they've carved for him. He's on track to be picked up for a football scholarship and even has a girlfriend he feels like he can rely on. Everything is set, but why doesn't it feel right? Why does it feel like something is missing?

At lunch, Nova first sees Sam but he doesn't recognize her and asks her to move over to make room for his girlfriend. It hurts Nova, but she swears she sees some recognition in his eyes. Deciding to stick to her original plan, she lays low and tries to coast under the radar. After taking a compatibility test, of course she's matched with none other than Sam. Using tried and true methods of communication from their past, Sam tries to get closer to Nova so the two can rekindle their friendship. However, they aren't children anymore and the heart has ideas of its own.

IN THE ORBIT OF YOU is a young adult contemporary romance that is about finding yourself and overcoming childhood trauma. Nova is so tired of moving and wants nothing more than stability, just like every teenager deserves. For that, we start to see her anger toward her mother spark and grow. Sam wants to make his aunt and uncle happy and is ready to give up his future to do so. In his eyes, he only has a shot at a future because of them. As the two teens try to find themselves while closing the gap that's formed between them, they find a bit more than they ask for. The author does an amazing job at weaving together a romance that's painted in the stars.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to teens aged twelve and up who enjoy contemporary romances that have a lot of emotional impact. This story plays your heartstrings like a fiddle and I love watching as the two main characters reconnect while finding themselves.